Craig, Colorado
Encyclopedia
The City of Craig is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat
and the most populous city of Moffat County
, Colorado
, United States
. The population was 9,189 at the 2000 census. It is also home to Grande Olde West Days and one of North America's largest elk herds.!!!!!!
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.9 square miles (12.7 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 9,189 people, 3,525 households, and 2,432 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,886.6 people per square mile (728.5/km²). There were 3,851 housing units at an average density of 790.6 per square mile (305.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.56% White, 0.30% African American, 0.96% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.84% from other races
, and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.80% of the population.
There were 3,525 households out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples
living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,091, and the median income for a family was $45,504. Males had a median income of $38,038 versus $21,806 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,140. About 6.9% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
was created out of the western portion of Routt County
on February 27, 1911. In the same area as Craig, at the confluence of the Yampa River (then known as the Bear River) and Fortification Creek, were previous towns known as Yampa (as early as 1885) and Windsor (as early as 1878). In 1878 the area consisted of a number of ranches and at least two businesses: Himley’s Ferry (which allowed crossing of the Yampa River) and Peck's Store (a one room trading post).
In the 1970s and early 1980s, the largest power generation plant in Colorado, and several coal mines were constructed near Craig.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
and the most populous city of Moffat County
Moffat County, Colorado
Moffat County is the northwesternmost and the second most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 13,184 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Craig.- History :...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 9,189 at the 2000 census. It is also home to Grande Olde West Days and one of North America's largest elk herds.!!!!!!
Geography
Craig is located at 40°31′1"N 107°33′1"W (40.516896, -107.550389).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4.9 square miles (12.7 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 9,189 people, 3,525 households, and 2,432 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,886.6 people per square mile (728.5/km²). There were 3,851 housing units at an average density of 790.6 per square mile (305.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.56% White, 0.30% African American, 0.96% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.84% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.80% of the population.
There were 3,525 households out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,091, and the median income for a family was $45,504. Males had a median income of $38,038 versus $21,806 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $18,140. About 6.9% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
History
Founded by William H. Tucker and named for one of the town's financial backers, Rev. William Bayard Craig in 1889, Craig was incorporated as a city on April 24, 1908. Craig became the county seat when Moffat CountyMoffat County, Colorado
Moffat County is the northwesternmost and the second most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 13,184 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Craig.- History :...
was created out of the western portion of Routt County
Routt County, Colorado
Routt County is the 15th most extensive of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 19,690 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Steamboat Springs.- History :...
on February 27, 1911. In the same area as Craig, at the confluence of the Yampa River (then known as the Bear River) and Fortification Creek, were previous towns known as Yampa (as early as 1885) and Windsor (as early as 1878). In 1878 the area consisted of a number of ranches and at least two businesses: Himley’s Ferry (which allowed crossing of the Yampa River) and Peck's Store (a one room trading post).
In the 1970s and early 1980s, the largest power generation plant in Colorado, and several coal mines were constructed near Craig.
Hunting
Craig is known as the "Elk Hunting Capital of the World" by many sources, including www.ausa.org and www.californiahuntingtoday.com. While this claim has also been made by other towns and areas, Craig certainly does make a strong claim. Hunters travel to Craig from all over the world to hunt the land of Moffat County for elk and many of them stay in Craig. Craig's tourism relies heavily on hunting, and the town's economy relies on the heavy boost received each winter from travellers.See also
- Colorado municipalitiesColorado municipalitiesThe U.S. state of Colorado currently has 271 active incorporated municipalities, including 196 towns, 73 cities, and two consolidated city and county governments.-Municipal government:...
- Moffat County, ColoradoMoffat County, ColoradoMoffat County is the northwesternmost and the second most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 13,184 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Craig.- History :...
- State of Colorado
- Yampa RiverYampa RiverThe Yampa River is a tributary of the Green River, approximately 250 mi long, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's located in the Southwestern United States...